Fiji and Vanuatu Sign MOU on Development Cooperation

New York

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

The Prime Minister of Fiji, Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama met in New York today with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu Moana Carcasses Kalosil to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on development cooperation.

The MOU essentially articulates the desire of both countries to strengthen their relations through cooperation on a number of areas.

“Fiji and Vanuatu share development aspirations and challenges, and agreements such as the one we have signed today allow for collective and innovative solutions to be developed, drawing on best practices from each of our countries”, said Prime Minister Bainimarama.

The memorandum of understanding on cooperation which was signed today encompasses a broad range of issues including: bilateral trade and investment; education, youth and human resource development; labour mobility; immigration; commerce, retail and taxation; Fisheries Cooperation; air and sea transportation; health and pharmaceutical; climate change, environment, security and energy; and livestock development.

The MOU is envisaged to also further strengthen collaboration by the two countries within the framework of the MSG Agreement.Prime Minister Bainimarama also expressed the Government of Fiji’s commitment to work collaboratively with Vanuatu on issues of mutual interest to both countries.